John 5:35

“He was a burning and a shining light, etc.] He was not that light, the famous light, the Messiah, the sun of righteousness; yet he was the “phosphorus”, the forerunner of that light, and was himself a very great one: he had much light himself into the person and office of the Messiah; in the doctrines of faith in Christ, and repentance towards God; in the Gospel dispensation, and in the abolition of the Mosaic economy; and gave great light to others, in the business of salvation, and remission of sins, and was the means of guiding the feet of many in the way of peace. His light of pure doctrine, and of an holy and exemplary conversation, shone very visibly, and brightly before men; and he…”

“He was a burning and a shining light--literally, "the burning and shining lamp" (or torch):--that is, "the great light of his day." Christ is never called by the humble word here applied to John--a light-bearer--studiously used to distinguish him from his Master, but ever the Light in the most absolute sense. (See on Joh 1:6). willing for a season--that is, till they saw that it pointed whither they were not prepared to go. to rejoice in his light--There is a play of irony here, referring to the hollow delight with which his testimony tickled them.”

“He was - It is probable that John had been cast into prison before this. Hence, his public ministry had ceased, and our Saviour says he was such a light. Light - The word in the original properly means a “lamp,” and is not the same which in John 1:4-5 is translated “light.” That is a word commonly applied to the sun, the fountain of light; this means a lamp, or a light that is lit up or kindled artificially from oil or tallow. A teacher is often called a “light,” because he guides or illuminates the minds of others. Romans 2:19; “thou art confident that thou art a guide of the blind, a light of them that sit in darkness;” John 8:12; John 12:46; Matthew 5:14. A burning - A lamp lit up that…”

“He was a burning and a shining light - Inwardly burning with love and zeal, outwardly shining in all holiness. And even ye were willing for a season - A short time only. John 5:37”

“was: Joh 1:7, Joh 1:8; Mat 11:11; Luk 1:15-17, Luk 1:76, Luk 1:77, Luk 7:28; Pe2 1:19 and ye: Joh 6:66; Eze 33:31; Mat 3:5-7, Mat 11:7-9, Mat 13:20, Mat 13:21, Mat 21:26; Mar 6:20; Gal 4:15, Gal 4:16 John 5:36”